Best Of

Popular Topics

The Magazine

Let us take you on a journey of the world. Each issue of the Gear Patrol Magazine comes packed with adventures, guides and stories exclusive to the magazine. Stunningly designed, printed on high quality stock and ready for your coffee table. Subscribers received 15% off the GEAR PATROL STORE. Biannual. $35.

The Newsletter

Get GEAR PATROL in your inbox with the DISPATCH, including Today in Gear and all our new stories. Daily, 5pm. Free.

America’s 60 Best Day Hikes

While states like Alaska, California, Colorado and Montana might get all of the attention for great hiking (not without merit), there are great hikes tucked away in every pocket of the US. Virtually every state in the US has a great hike that can be tackled in a day, and many are even within striking distance of major cities. This summer instead of cowering indoors, sheltered from the heat, get out and embrace it. Hunt down a great view. Take a walk along a serene body of water. Bag the tallest summit in your state. The US is filled with amazing hikes. Use this list as a starting point, but be sure to explore beyond it and seek out the wandering side trail. – AJ Powell

Alabama

Crimson Tide, Crystalline Lakes

Conecuh Trail

The Draw: Crystalline lakes and one-of-a-kind Southern scenery. Starting from Blue Pond (a swimming hole worth returning to), the northern and southern loops take you past sapphire-blue ponds and a whole slew of Southern flora.Don’t Miss: The bug spray. You’re passing through bogs and swamps, so you do the math. Visit in winter to dampen the swarm and take advantage of cooler temperatures.

Alaska

Stare Down the Country’s Tallest Peak

Savage River Canyon Trail

Season: Summer. Depending on snowfall and weather, the trail can be open during the spring or fall. Check visitor center beforehand.The Draw: A short, scenic hike alongside the Savage River’s whitewater. Since there are few tall trees, it’s easy to explore off the trail. The area’s a popular spot to picnic and sightsee because of its abundant wildlife. Don’t get too close to the grizzly bears.Don’t Miss: On clear days, stare down Mount McKinley.

How Long: 2-mile loopFound In: Denali National ParkWhich Is: In central Alaska, a good 4.5-hour drive north of Anchorage

Arizona

A Natural Wonder

Bright Angel Trail

Season: Year-round, but check with Park Rangers for current conditions.The Draw: Wonderful views of the Grand Canyon and its carver, the Colorado River. But be careful: the trail is hot and steep, and being unprepared here can be deadly.Don’t Miss: Cinematic views of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

How Long: 12 miles roundtripFound In: The Grand Canyon National Park, along the Canyon’s South RimWhich Is: Just west of Bright Angel Lodge

Arkansas

Where Bill Clinton Inhales

Eagle Rock Loop

The Draw: More river crossings than your Chacos can handle. The path, however long you take it, continually crosses over creeks and rivers, then peaks at various vista points along the way.Don’t Miss: Locking down bragging rights for the total loop. It’ll be tough to do in a day; take a weekend to complete this razorback rite of passage.

California

A Far Cry From LA

East Fork Cold Spring and Montecito Peak

Season: It’s nice year-round. This is Cali.The Draw: An arduous but scenic hike through a canyon, alongside a creek with infinite opportunities to explore small waterfalls and pools.Don’t Miss: Southern California’s got more than just beach views. From Montecito Peak, there are fantastic views of Camino Cielo and Santa Barbara.

How Long: Just north of 9 miles roundtripFound In: Montecito, CAWhich Is: A 10-minute drive from Santa Barbara

How Long: 4.5 milesFound In: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State ParkWhich Is: Just east of Highway 1. The entrance is about 37 miles south of Carmel or 48 miles north of Ragged Point.

Colorado

Take Off the Skis and Walk

Blue Lake Hike

Season: June to OctoberThe Draw: This is great hiking above the tree line. Blue Lake sits in a bowl-shaped depression called a glacial cirque. The water is deep blue and is framed by the rocky feet of Mount Audubon, Mount Toll and Paiute Peak.Don’t Miss: At the end of the trail, there’s a fairly inconspicuous path to the north shore of Upper Blue Lake. Routes to Little Pawnee Peak, Mount Toll and Paiute Peak branch off from Blue Lake as well.

How Long: 5.1 miles roundtripFound In: Indian Peaks Wilderness AreaWhich Is: An hour west of Boulder, CO

Connecticut

Boats and I-95

Lion’s Head to Bear Mountain

The Draw: Bear Mountain is the highest peak in Connecticut, and hiking to it from Lion’s Head — along the Appalachian Trail — is the best way to get to the summit.Don’t Miss: The 22-foot stone pyramid at the summit and views of the Catskills in New York and Mt. Everett in Massachusetts.

Florida

Bring the Gator Spray

Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie to Juniper Springs

The Draw: The Juniper Prairie Wilderness, named “the jewel of the Florida trail” for its diverse flora and fauna.Don’t Miss: Hidden Pond, a quiet watering hole fed by a crystal-clear spring. Do miss (but see from a distance) the sinkholes that line the path, interspersed between the surprisingly flush sand pine forest.

Georgia

Life’s a Peach

Blood Mountain Loop

The Draw: The route offers a mix of rhododendron-covered pathways and panoramic rock outcroppings — but the peak, sitting on jagged rocks overlooking the valley, is what you’re really here for.Don’t Miss: Your DSLR, especially in autumn when the deciduous trees take on a panoply of colors, coating the trail with fallen leaves and making the somewhat easy trek entirely photo worthy.

This is the ultimate guide to hiking footwear. On this list you’ll find 20 of the best hiking shoes and boots. Get a pair and take them to the trail. Read the Story

Tallulah Gorge

The Draw: A 1,000-foot gorge that slices its way through lush forest growth. There are also naturally occurring water slides scattered along the way, so bring a bathing suit.Don’t Miss: A hiking permit. The trip to the floor of the falls is restricted to 100 per day, so go on a slow weekday or go early.

Hawaii

Explore Volcano Country

Kuliouou Ridge Trail

Season: Year-roundThe Draw: A diverse hike through forests, up ridges and with dramatic ocean views. It gets steep, but that’s part of the challenge.Don’t Miss: Kuliouou Summit. You’ll have uninterrupted views of the valley, the Pacific Ocean and everything in between.

Idaho

Touch Idaho’s Clouds

Borah Peak Hike

Season: Winter ascents are possible, but may require crampons, snowshoes and an ice axe. Try it during any of the other three.The Draw: The rocky terrain, combined with tough, icy conditions makes for an arduous climb. It’s not quite Vertical Limit, but it’ll test you.Don’t Miss: A chance to stand on top of Idaho. At 12,662 feet, Borah Peak is the highest point of elevation in the state.

How Long: Approximately 8 miles, roundtripFound In: The Lost River Mountain RangeWhich Is: in Challis National Forest, central Idaho

Illinois

Land of Lincoln.

Garden of the Gods

The Draw: Hundreds of millions of years have turned the sandstone in Southern Illinois into spectacular rock formations that sit high above Shawnee National Forest to the west and the Ohio River to the east.Don’t Miss: Sunset.

Indiana

One at the northern tip, one at the southern.

West Beach Trail

The Draw: It’s a beautiful hike among forest and the beaches of the southernmost point of Lake Michigan. Elevation changes are challenging and also give you a tremendous view of the water. Plus, it’s on the beach.Don’t Miss: Bringing a picnic for cooling down with your feet in the water.

Adventure Hiking Trail

The Draw: This cleverly named trail is one of the longest continuous trails in the state. The loop takes hikers past four shelter houses, old pioneer houses, cliff faces and sinkholes.Don’t Miss: Views of the Ohio River from the high bluffs along the trail.

Iowa

The Hawkeye State.

Sylvan Runkel State Preserve

The Draw: The secluded ridgeline takes you above forests in a 12-mile loop around rolling grassy hills.Don’t Miss: The “loess” is accumulated wind-blown silt piled up to 200 feet high. The only other places where loess reach these heights outside of the Iowa/Missouri region is along the Yellow River in China — a bit of a longer roundtrip.

Kansas

Geographic center of the contiguous United States.

Elk City State Park

The Draw: The park offers some of the best hiking in Kansas while the lake and its rivers offer up bass, crappie, catfish and saugeye to fishermen.Don’t Miss: The Green Thumb Nature Trail loop runs for one mile and empties out onto stunning views of Elk City Lake.

Kentucky

The Bourbon Trail

Swift Camp Creek Trail

The Draw: Lots and lots of arches: Red River Gorge carves out the largest concentration of arches east of the Rockies, all packed into tree-crowded scenery. Swift Camp drops you into the heart of things, past arches, waterfalls, and plenty of green.Don’t Miss: The impact of the logging industry. Before it was declared a national park, the whole Daniel Boone forest was chopped. Loggers used to float trees down the creek; the logging trails and second-growth forest remain a testament to that time.